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Head-to-head · Digital Forensics Software

Autopsy vs Exterro FTK Central

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Autopsy #1 in Digital Forensics Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Autopsy
Exterro FTK Central #4 in Digital Forensics Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Exterro

Autopsy leads on 0 checks, Exterro FTK Central on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAutopsy · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Autopsy
  • Most featuresExterro FTK Central · 2 of 4

Autopsy scores higher on our rubric for digital forensics software: 9.4 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Autopsy is the better fit for broad investigations on a free, open platform. Exterro FTK Central is the better fit for large teams with governed forensic workflows.

  • Autopsy fits best

    Broad investigations on a free, open platform

  • Exterro FTK Central fits best

    Large teams with governed forensic workflows

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Side by side

Feature Autopsy 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Exterro FTK Central 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.1
Ranking #1 in Digital Forensics Software #4 in Digital Forensics Software
Best for Broad investigations on a free, open platform Large teams with governed forensic workflows
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs · 24/7
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Autopsy 0/4 · Exterro FTK Central 2/4
Mobile forensics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Disk imaging Not checked yet Not checked yet
Memory forensics Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Case collaboration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Evidence sources Not checked yet Live enterprise endpoints; Windows, macOS, and selected Linux artifacts; Microsoft 365; Exchange; SharePoint; OneDrive; Google Workspace; Gmail; Google Drive; Slack; Microsoft Teams; Confluence; AFF4; E01; AD1; RAW/DD
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux
Export formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers disk, media, mobile, timeline, hash, and artifact analysis
  • Supports collaboration across multiple examiners on shared cases
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with an extensible module architecture
  • Centralizes collection, processing, analysis, review, and case management
  • Supports shared cases with permissions, approvals, and audit records
  • Connects with SIEM, SOAR, endpoint, collaboration, and Microsoft tools
Cons
  • Paid training, support, and custom modules are separate offerings
  • Its broad feature set is centered on forensic investigation workflows
  • Advanced workflows may depend on available modules and examiner expertise
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation rather than a published plan
  • Its broad workflow may exceed the needs of small investigation teams
  • Mobile forensics and disk imaging are handled by separate Exterro products
Our verdict

Autopsy is an open-source digital forensics platform and graphical interface to The Sleuth Kit and other investigation tools. It is designed for law enforcement, military, corporate investigation, litigation support, and national security…

Read the review →

Exterro FTK Central is a centralized digital forensics platform for enterprise investigation teams, forensic laboratories, government agencies, and corporate security groups. It brings live endpoint investigation, remote inspection,…

Read the review →
  1. AutopsyDigital Forensics Software 9.4Free plan
  2. Exterro FTK CentralDigital Forensics Software 9.1Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Autopsy — where it wins

    • Covers disk, media, mobile, timeline, hash, and artifact analysis
    • Supports collaboration across multiple examiners on shared cases
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with an extensible module architecture

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid training, support, and custom modules are separate offerings
    • Its broad feature set is centered on forensic investigation workflows
    • Advanced workflows may depend on available modules and examiner expertise

  • Exterro FTK Central — where it wins

    • Centralizes collection, processing, analysis, review, and case management
    • Supports shared cases with permissions, approvals, and audit records
    • Connects with SIEM, SOAR, endpoint, collaboration, and Microsoft tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation rather than a published plan
    • Its broad workflow may exceed the needs of small investigation teams
    • Mobile forensics and disk imaging are handled by separate Exterro products
  • Autopsy9.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, cross-platform platform for broad, case-based digital investigations.

    Visit AutopsyFull verdict →
  • Exterro FTK Central9.1/10 · Pricing on request

    A governed platform for coordinated endpoint, cloud, and evidence investigations.

    Visit ExterroFull verdict →

More comparisons

All digital forensics software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update